Convertible trunk and tent support



.Nov. 9 1926. 1,606,648

c. D. MCDONALD CONVERTIBLE TRUNK AND TENT SUPPORT 2. Sheets-Sheet 1 6INVENTOR: $49.12: ZanaZaZ;

ATTORNEY Nov. 9 1926. 1,606,648 C. D. M DONALD V CONVERTIBLE TRUNK ANDTENT SUPPORT Filed Sept. 16, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR: E Masalfiblarmld;

BY W4 ATTORNEY Ill Patented N v. 9, 1926.

UNETED- STATES teeters CHARLES D. MCDONALD, 0F FULLERTON, CALIFORNIA.

CONVERTIBLE TRUNK AND TENT SUPFORT.

Application filed September 16, 1925. Serial No. 56,644.

This invention relates to convertible furniture and especially to atrunk structure which is adapted to be set up as a support for a tentskeleton.

An object of the invention is to provide a device whose parts areadapted to be assembled into a case or trunk form or to be disassembledand its parts used as tables and benches. A further object is to providefor the combination of the benches as a stable support for a tentskeleton.

Other objects and advantages will be made manifest in the followingspecification of an embodiment of the invention here illustrated; itbeing understood that modifications, variations and adaptations may beresorted to within the spirit of the invention and its scope as is hereclaimed.

Figure 1 .is a perspective of the trunk structure.

Figure 2 is a side elevation, parts being in section.

Figure 3 brace.

Figure 4 is a perspective of the device arranged as a tent support.

Figure 5 is an elevation of a panel arranged as a table.

Figure 6 is a detail showing the table brace latch.

Figure 7 is a cross-section showing the side panel hooked to the innerleg of a bench and retained by the bench top.

Figure 8 is a detail showing the applied end of a reach or spacing bar.

Figure 9 is a section of a portion of the reach bar, and showing a tentrod socket.

The present invention includes an outer pair of ends 2 forming spacedlegs which are firmly attached to a top 3 which may be a board ofsubstantial wood and suitable dimensions. The end corners are metalbound by angle strips 4:. The foot ends of the legs 2 are cut out in asemicircle and the removed blocks 5 are secured in the interior anglesand against the legs 2.

To strongly re-enforce the legs I employ angle braces 6 in the form ofdiscs which are bent diametrically to .a right angle. Perpendicular tothe line of fold, the disc has embossed, stiffening ridges 7. A pair ofthese braces is secured against the inside blocks 5 and against theinner face of the bench or top 3, and the disc diameter, being is aperspective of an angle greater than that of the block 5,.a flange 6*pro ects. Telescoping within the legs (or ends) 2 is another set of legs10 which butt against and are attached to a board, bench part 11 and isanchored thereto by braces 6. The foot ends of legs 10 are cutout andthe removed, semicircular blocks 12 are secured under the overhangingbench lland to the outer faces of the legs 10.

Snap clasps 13 of any appropriate type interlock the blocks 12 to thelegs 2, as shown in Fig. 1. i

The side edges of the benches 3-11 are rebated at ltand are bound byangle metal strips 15, thus forming channels into which extend the longedges of side panels 16 which loosely drop into the channels of theinverted bench 11 before the top bench 3 is applied thereto.

When the panels are so insertedthey are held in place by hooks 17 onlegs 10. The ends of the panels 16 have border strips 18 to overlap thebench legs 2.

When the top bench 23 has been un latched and removed, the side panels16 may then be unhooked and removed. r hese panels have rigidly pairedlegs 20 hinged at 21 to fold in against the panel and each pair having apivoted, V-shaped, wire rod brace 22 to engage a snap latch 23 on theunder face of its panel. The apexes of the latches 22 slide on a guidetrack 22 when folded and run past the latches 23 to end stops 22 ;'thetrack being spaced from the face of the panel to allow movement of theapexes. Pressing in the latches or inverting the table releases thebraces 22 and allows inward movement.

The separated bench units of the trunk may be used as benches on eitherside of the panels set up as tables.

aVhen desiring to pitch camp for the night, or longer. the benches 311are set aparta distance determined by the skeleton frame of outer endsof the bars 30 to connect the benches, and include a fixed hook 32 toengage under the near flange 15 .of a bench. Above the hook a swinging,retaining Finger 33 to be projected over the bench top.

It will be seen that the spacing bar ends 30 are foldable on pivots 29intothe channel 27 to be packed in the trunk device and can be quickly,easily unfolded and effective ly applied to the spaced apart benches toform a support for the tent frame. The bar member 2? has a socket 85 fora relative stud top, and side panels detachably secured to bench )arts'and f rining the side walls of the assembled trunk; the side edges ofthe leg panels being overlapped and covered by the applied side panels.

2. Convertible furniture for forming a trunk, comprising a top havingend panels which form end legs when the top is used as a bench, a bottomelement having, spaced inwardly from its end edges, end panels whichtelescope fiatwise just along the inside faces of the outside end panelsof the top, and side panels detachably secured to bench parts andforming the side Walls of the assembled trunk; the side panels havingcorner flanges reaching over the outer faces of the outer end legpanels.

3. Convertible furniture including upper and lower bench boards eachhaving a pair of end legs, one pair of legs fitting inside of the otherpair; the foot ends of the several legs being cut out and the removedblocks attached to the upper portions of the legs mosses the cut outfeet of opposed legs, and internal, angle braces securing the legs totheir respective bench members.

Convertible furniture including upper and lower bench nien'iber's eachhaving a pair of end legs, one pair oflegs iitting inside of the otherpair; the outside pair of legs having angle braces spaced therefrom byspaci blocks and forming flanges to overlap the telescoped inside legs.

'4'. Convertible furniture including telescopic benches having sideflanges, and side panels fitting under the flanges to be retained thereband having angular end flanges to lit alon legs of the benches; theedges of the Z) being covered by the assembled side .els.

8. Convertible furniture including benches having corner flanges, andmeans for interlocking with said flanges and holding the benches inspaced position with their tops up; said means including a foldable barhaving at each end a pair of gripping men here to embrace top and bottomelements of the respective flanges.

9. A side, spacing rail device including a central channel member havingnestable bars pivoted in its ends'to be unfolded into alignment, andmeans on the extremities of the end bars to be interlocked Withstructures to be sustainedin spaced relation, said means including ahook and a swinging latch.

in DUNALD.

Units-Les

